Somalia: Jubaland begins registration of Senate seats candidates

KISMAYO, Somalia – Jubaland became the first state in Somalia to show goodwill in implementing the May 27, 2021 electoral accord, possibly paving the way for other states to break the deadlock, which looms large. the country’s future in terms of stability.

The electoral body of the federal state of southern Somalia began registering senatorial candidates running for four seats, a day before the upper house elections in the city of Kismayo, scheduled for July 29.

The country was due to hold elections from July 25, but the exercise was delayed because most states did not prepare sufficiently, raising doubts about the possibility of the country holding elections as planned.

But on Tuesday Jubaland, who had major differences with the federal government, announced candidates for the Senate election, ending the wait. The state is expected to have eight senators, but only four candidates have been announced.

The candidates will speak in front of the Jubaland parliament on July 29, following the elections on the same day. The winners will represent Jubaland in Mogadishu where they will take charge of the legislations related to the FMS-FGS, in particular on the allocation of resources.

“The election of members of the Upper House of the Somali Federal Parliament by the Jubaland State Regional Assembly will begin on Thursday, July 29, 2021,” Jubaland said in a statement on Tuesday.

Through his office, Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble congratulated Jubaland for submitting the list of senatorial candidates and the subsequent announcement of election dates, urging the four remaining federal states to speed up the process to start legislative elections in Somalia.

Roble visited Jubaland a few weeks ago where he resolved the long-standing crisis in Gedo, where the federal government has been accused of meddling. The region is expected to participate in the elections, contrary to previous harsh statements from Jubaland.

Three of the four candidates are former senators, including Fartag and Iftin Baasto who are vying for re-election. The state has eight members in the upper house, four four have yet to be announced, but they are expected to be unveiled very soon.

FMS parliaments will choose the 54 seats in the Somali Senate and deputies from the Lower House will be elected by 27,775 clan delegates. Once elected, MPs will then elect the president on October 10 based on the election calendar released a few months ago.

Outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo will face, among others, former Presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as well as former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire. However, the team can also go for a single candidate.

AXADLETM